Brahms Symphony No. 1

Classical Music / Symphony

 

Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68


Johannes Brahms spent at least fourteen years completing his Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. His sketches date from 1854. He declared that this work, from sketches to finishing touches, took 21 years, from 1855 to 1876. The premiere of this symphony, conducted by his friend Felix Otto Desssoff, was on 4 November 1876, in Karlruhe, then in the Grand Duchy of Baden. A typical performance lasts between 45 and 50 minutes.

Enjoy listening to the video below conducted by Paavo Järvi, with Orchestre de Paris - Brahms: Symphony No.1 in C Minor, Op.68.

 


Instrumentation

The symphony is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones (for fourth movement only), timpani, violin solo (end of second movement only), first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Rather than the typical three movements of a concerto in the Classical and Romantic periods, this piece has four, resulting in a lengthier concerto.

Structure.  The symphony is in four movements:

1. Un poco sostenuto — Allegro – Meno allegro (C minor, ending in C major)
2. Andante sostenuto (E major)
3. Un poco allegretto e grazioso (A♭ major)
4. Adagio — Più andante — Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Più allegro (C minor – C major)

Video Credit:

Brahms Symphony No. 1 (Paavo Järvi). Youtube, uploaded by Classical Vault 1. Accessed January 3, 2023.


Resources:

• Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed November 4, 2016.
• Piano_Concerto_No.1, Op 68_(Brahms,_Johannes).  en.wikipedia.org.

(c)  November 2011. Updated January 3, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.